Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-08-26
The League Proclamation Brought
Squarely Before Parliament

Squareiy Before Parliament.
LONDON August 25th-Notice was given BY
Gladstone in the Hs,lse of Coramons last even
ing OF Il resolution !" that an humble address be
presented to the Queen representing that the
slceroy of Ireland has proclaimed the National
Leagne TO be dangerous Association; that no
information mas been furnished Parliament TO
lgselly proclamation by virtue CT which her
MaJesty's subjects are to be rendered liable and
punished as criminals without Il judicial in
qutry into the nature of their acts and that this
House IN allegiance of sEch information pravs
that said proclamation shall not continue in
force a. to the Association named and described
therein
Balfour viii follow Gladstone tonight. and
bate. N
THE DEBATE IL THE HOUSE.
LoNDoN. August 25th-P M-Gladstonf wos
greeted with cheers in the House of Commons
this evening when he moved his resolution.
He said " The Irish Niceroy, in declaring shat
the League aad melted to violence, must have
acted on information, but where is that in
formation? The Irish people had right TO
know the grounds on which the Government
had acted If the facts were withheld, the op-
position must forthwith urge three propositions
upon the House and Government First-It was
almost an outrage upon the dignity of Parlia-
ment to suppose 1t was to discharge such an
important statutory duty without knowing the
grounds. Second-It reduced to utter destrue-
ton and to an absurdity the main contention
that the Government advanced during the dis
cusslon OF the Crimes Act-that the Safeguard
promised had proved a farce, Thirdly-What
could the House think of information that tbev
must thus know would not bear the light?''
he had always contended that the Govern
ment was legislating against combinations
apart from crime and now was the time for the
Government to show its hand, and that his
friends were wrong, but the Government nix
from the test ana declined the challenge They
had substituted arbitrary will for regular legis-
lation This principle was most dangerous and
disgracetuI in any country, and especially in
Ireland. The law in Ireland was still on trial
The great misfortune was that those who ad-
minister lt-especially locally-were in SYM
pathy with the feelings of the people
The proclamation of the League is q near ap-
proach TO declaration of war on the Irish peo-
pie. The people of Ireland generally sympa-
thlzed with the League, because they believed
II had been their salvation. Nobody did any
thing for the tenants until the League was
founded. The Governments action absolutely
excluded the House from anything except its
absurd and pertunctory operation in connection
with the great duty devolving upon it under the
statute. Their recogniZance of this proclama-
ton was reduced to a mere farce. There would
be no jury, Judge or resident magistrate and no
Parliament to control Ireland. There would be
nothing but the absolute, unmitigated and srbi-
trary act of the Irish Executive which was ne.
cessaIily partisan.
He hoped the Irish would continue to bear
the pressure. They would not have to suffer
long. 1t was certain they would not OBEY the
law through fear, but from that strong, vivid
buoyant hope which even at the last election
was not damaged, and which now is brighter
The Irish believed the Governments policy had
not tne sanction OF the British nation. The
Governments foundation was slipping from
under them, and their action in reference to the
proclamation. of the League showed their
strength was fading.
Baltour said that Gladstone would have been
wiser had he rested his argument on the allega-
ton that the House was ignorant of the grounds
for the proclamation, rather than defense of
the League. There was sufficient foundation to
justify the proclamation in the columns of the
local newspapers, without going into the Gov
ernments confidential reports.
Replying TO questions from Harcourt, Balfour
refused to submit the documents voted and the
Speaker said the Secretary was not bound 10
table confidential cuments, but the case was
different with official papers.
Har ourt again asked when the papers were
to be tabled
Balfour said the documents were both public
and confidential papers, and his oy, notion was
that If the people realized the true nature and
working OF the League they would support the
Government.
After further remarks by Balfour, OConnor
and I. W. Russell, the debate was adjourned.
UNIoNISTs sURRENDERING.
LONDON, August 25th.-The DAILY Nelps saws
that Chamberlain, Ceilings and half dozen
other Unionists viii vote in support of Glad
stones motion.